15 Things That Always Happen at College Orientation

1. You'll realize your sheets from home won't cut it on the twin XL mattresses. Yeah, now you know that you need to buy new sheets for college. But in the meantime, your toes are freezing sticking out of the bottom of your too-short bedding.

2. You'll use a communal shower for the first time. And suddenly feel grateful you made it this far in life without needing a pair of shower shoes.

3. You'll meet someone super cute that you're dying to date in the fall. So you text your best friend this:

Hannah Orenstein

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4. You might even hook up with that cute person. In the same moment, you'll feel like an impossibly cool, sophisticated college girl... and like your heart has been replaced by a sparkly unicorn that's vomiting glitter. It's the best feeling in the world.

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5. You will avoid saying "hi" to someone you recognize from Facebook. You know it's gonna be awkward. ("Hi! I'm Hannah. I think you're Melissa? You posted something on Facebook a month ago asking if anyone knew if the dining halls had gluten-free options? Anyway, sorry if this is SO creepy, but thought, you know, I should say hi. Also, I only stalked you a little bit, but I loved your prom dress just thought I should tell you.") See? Awkward.

6. You WILL lock yourself out of your room the first night. Hopefully you're not in a towel when this happens. You'll feel like an idiot for about 30 seconds, but then you'll realize you can either take refuge in your neighbor's room (hey, new friend!) or knock on the RA's door to get a spare key.

7. When you first walk into the dining hall, it's like...

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8. You'll participate in an infinite number of ice-breakers. Prep by brainstorming a handful of fun facts, two truths and a lie, and your favorite ice cream flavor so you're not put on the spot. Yes, the ice-breakers are a little cheesy, but they live up to their name. By the end of orientation, you might start to form a few genuinely awesome friendships.

9. You'll trade numbers and Facebooks and Instagrams and Snapchats with everyone you meet. By the time you leave, you'll be in touch with practically half your class. To be totally honest, you won't wind up remaining besties with each and every one of these people, but meeting as many people as possible during orientation, welcome week, and freshman year as a whole is so important to feeling like you're part of a community.

13. You'll learn the school fight song and alma mater. And then forget them approximately three minutes later.

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14. You will sign up for at least eight clubs you will never join. Sorry, fencing team; sorry, philosophy club; sorry, robotics squad. It's nothing personal. (That said, you'll remain on their email list-servs for years after you graduate. So be careful about how many clubs you give your email address to.)

15. You'll leave counting down the days until you can start college for real. You're so ready to take on the next four years of your life.